The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance exam for admission into undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs offered by 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) across India.
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Conducted by the Consortium of NLUs, CLAT is one of the most competitive law entrance exams in India. If you are planning to appear for CLAT 2026, this blog will provide you with all the essential details, including eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, and preparation tips.
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance exam that serves as the gateway to the top law schools in India. Conducted annually by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs), CLAT is the primary exam for students seeking admission into prestigious law programs.
CLAT is designed for two categories of law aspirants:
Undergraduate (UG) candidates
Those who have completed or are appearing for their Class 12 exams and wish to pursue a law degree.
Postgraduate (PG) candidates
Those who have completed their LLB degree and want to specialize further by pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM).
These are undergraduate (UG) law courses that combine a bachelor’s degree with a law degree. Instead of completing a separate bachelor’s degree before studying law, students can enroll in an integrated program immediately after Class 12.
The 5-year integrated LLB programs include:
BA LLB
A combination of Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB),
focusing on subjects like political science, sociology, and history along with law.
BBA LLB
A blend of Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and LLB,
integrating business and management studies with law.
BCom LLB
A mix of Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and LLB,
focusing on accounting, finance, and business laws.
BSc LLB
A combination of Bachelor of Science (BSc) and LLB
ideal for students interested in science and technology-related legal fields.
BSW LLB
A combination of Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and LLB, suitable
for students interested in social justice, human rights, and public policy.
These programs prepare students for a career in corporate law, litigation, judiciary, legal advisory roles, and more.
For law graduates who want to specialize in a particular field, CLAT offers admission to a 1-year Master of Laws (LLM) program at various NLUs and private law schools.
Specializations may include:
Constitutional Law
Criminal Law
International Law
Human Rights Law
Corporate & Commercial Law
Intellectual Property Law
Apart from 22 NLUs, many private universities, public sector organizations, and law firms accept CLAT scores for admission and recruitment. This means that a good CLAT score not only secures a seat in a top law school but also opens doors to job opportunities in government bodies, private law firms, corporate legal departments, and judicial services.
If you are planning to appear for CLAT 2026, here are the key details you need to know:
Understanding the eligibility criteria for CLAT 2026 is crucial for aspirants applying for UG (5-Year LLB) and PG (LLM) programs. The Consortium of NLUs has set specific educational qualifications and minimum marks requirements for both programs.
This program is for students who have completed Class 12 and wish to pursue an integrated undergraduate law degree.
Candidates must have completed Class 12 (or equivalent) from a recognized board such as CBSE, ICSE, or State Boards.
Students appearing for their Class 12 exams in 2025 can also apply, but they must provide proof of passing before admission.
General/OBC candidates: 45% aggregate in Class 12.
SC/ST candidates: 40% aggregate in Class 12.
No age restriction, meaning students of any age can apply as long as they meet the educational qualifications.
If you are in Class 12 or have already passed it, you are eligible to apply for CLAT 2026 UG.
You must score at least 45% (General/OBC) or 40% (SC/ST) in your final Class 12 exams to qualify for admission.
This program is for law graduates who wish to pursue a Master of Laws (LLM) degree.
Candidates must have an LLB degree (3-year LLB or 5-year integrated LLB) from a recognized university.
General/OBC candidates: 50% aggregate in LLB.
SC/ST candidates: 45% aggregate in LLB.
If you have completed your LLB degree or are in the final year of LLB, you can apply for CLAT 2026 PG.
You must meet the minimum marks criteria to secure admission to an NLU for LLM.
The CLAT 2026 eligibility criteria ensure that only qualified candidates appear for the exam. With no age limit and a clear minimum marks requirement, aspirants can plan their preparation accordingly. Meeting these criteria is the first step toward securing admission to a top NLU in India.
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 will be conducted in an offline (pen-and-paper) mode for both UG (5-Year LLB) and PG (LLM) programs. The exam follows a comprehension-based format to test candidates on various legal and analytical skills.
The CLAT PG (LLM) 2026 exam is designed for law graduates seeking admission to Master of Laws (LLM) programs offered by National Law Universities (NLUs). The exam is structured to test candidates on various areas of law through comprehension-based multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
The CLAT PG exam consists of 120 questions, all of which are multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Each question is designed to assess a candidate’s understanding of legal concepts, application of legal principles, and ability to analyze legal issues.
Unlike traditional law exams that focus on rote learning, the CLAT PG exam follows a comprehension-based format.
The exam primarily focuses on core areas of law that are essential for legal practice and further studies in LLM programs. The key subjects include:
Fundamental Rights and Duties
Separation of Powers
Amendments and Judicial Review
Landmark Supreme Court Judgments
Legal Theories (Natural Law, Positivism, Realism)
Schools of Legal Thought
Sources of Law and Legal Interpretation
Indian Penal Code (IPC)
General Principles of Criminal Liability
Offenses and Punishments
Defenses in Criminal Law
General Principles of Contract Formation
Breach of Contract and Remedies
Special Types of Contracts (Indemnity, Guarantee, Bailment, Agency)
Public and Private International Law
Treaties and International Agreements
Role of International Organizations (UN, WTO, ICJ)
Administrative Law
Law of Torts
Company Law
Environmental Law
Human Rights Law
Preparing for CLAT 2026 requires a strategic approach as the exam is comprehension-based and tests critical thinking, reasoning, and legal aptitude. Here is a step-by-step guide to help aspirants maximize their preparation.
Go through the official CLAT syllabus to understand which topics are most important.
Focus on Legal Reasoning, Current Affairs, Logical Reasoning, English, and Quantitative Techniques for UG CLAT.
For PG CLAT, concentrate on Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Criminal Law, and other legal subjects.
Allocate dedicated time to each subject based on its weightage in the exam.
Prioritize Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs, as they carry the most marks.
Keep a balance between concept learning, revision, and practice tests.
Since CLAT is a passage-based exam, strong reading skills are essential.
Read editorials, legal articles, and case summaries to enhance comprehension skills.
Practice speed reading and critical analysis to handle lengthy passages efficiently.
Solve mock tests weekly to improve speed and accuracy.
Analyze mistakes and identify weak areas to focus on improvement.
Attempt previous year CLAT papers to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Read The Hindu, The Indian Express, and legal news portals daily.
Focus on landmark judgments, constitutional amendments, government policies, and international affairs.
Maintain short notes for quick revision before the exam.
Solve case-law-based questions to understand the legal reasoning approach.
Improve critical thinking and logical deduction through puzzles, syllogisms, and analytical reasoning exercises.
Study legal principles and apply them to hypothetical situations for better conceptual clarity.
Success in CLAT 2026 depends on consistent effort, smart preparation, and strategic practice. Since the exam is comprehension-based, developing strong reading, analytical, and reasoning skills is essential.
Aspirants should understand the syllabus thoroughly, follow a structured study plan, and stay updated with current affairs and legal developments. Regular practice with mock tests and previous year papers will help in improving accuracy and time management.
NLTI has successfully guided at least 18 students in 2025 to achieve top ranks in CLAT 2025, with AIRs ranging from 22 to 470. These results showcase the effectiveness of NLTI’s coaching, mentorship, and study programs in helping aspirants secure seats in prestigious NLUs.
With NLTI’s structured approach, expert faculty, and result-oriented preparation, you too can achieve your dream CLAT rank.
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What is the CLAT exam?
CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam for admission to
5-year integrated LLB and LLM programs offered by National Law Universities (NLUs) in India.
Who conducts the CLAT exam?
The CLAT exam is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) on a rotational basis.
What is the eligibility criteria for CLAT 2026?
For UG (5-year LLB): Candidates must have completed Class 12 with a minimum of 45% marks (40% for SC/ST).
For PG (LLM): Candidates must have an LLB degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST).
What is the exam pattern for CLAT 2026?
UG CLAT: 120 multiple-choice questions from English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques.
PG CLAT: 120 comprehension-based MCQs from subjects like Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, and Criminal Law.
How many NLUs accept CLAT scores?
A total of 24 NLUs accept CLAT scores for admission to their law programs.
Additionally, private universities and PSUs also consider CLAT scores.
What is the marking scheme for CLAT?
Candidates receive +1 mark for each correct answer and lose 0.25
marks for each incorrect answer due to negative marking.
When will CLAT 2026 be conducted?
CLAT 2026 is expected to be held in December 2025 in an offline (pen-paper) mode.
How should I prepare for CLAT 2026?
Understand the syllabus and exam pattern.
Focus on reading comprehension and legal reasoning.
Stay updated with current affairs and legal news.
Can I take CLAT multiple times?
Yes, there is no restriction on the number of attempts for CLAT.
Candidates can appear for the exam multiple times.
How can I register for CLAT 2026?
Candidates can apply online through the official CLAT Consortium website once registrations open,
usually in August or September 2025.
